Lessen the Chance of Kids Getting Sick - Adults Too
With schools closing “indefinitely” and grocery shelves becoming bare, we all are anxious to see how this plays out and when it will be over. As parents, we have a responsibility to keep our kids calm about the situation, keep their immune systems strong, and use preventative ways to kill viruses that our kids come in contact with. The best defense is a strong offense, so supercharge your kid's immune system and beat the viruses out there!
A mother of five and I keep my kids off antibiotics using these immune-boosting practices that quite frankly are still under the radar and not mainstream – but should be. I even shrunk my own adrenal tumor by half using holistic remedies leaving my doctors in awe.
#1 A smoothie a day keeps the doctor away
Move over apples, smoothies are taking your place. Perhaps a smoothie right when they wake up – this superfood immunity boost goes right into your cells since your stomach is empty. The body has been sleeping all night and not digesting any food which means it has more time to do what it should – keep your organs clean, healthy, and functioning at their highest level to prevent sickness and disease. Reward them with healthy great superfoods.
#2 Essential Oils
Used for 6000 years, essential oils are a form of alternative medicine using plant extracts to promote health and well being. They can be applied to the skin or used through aromatherapy. Here are some best essential oil tips for kids:
Essential oils should be used on kids 3 years and older topically (in a carrier oil like jojoba).
Essential oils can even be diffused in infant nursery from birth and beyond but put it on the other side of the room and dilute it a bit more.
It’s worrisome to many when hand sanitizer runs out and cannot be found at any store. Alcohol-based sanitizers are full of chemicals so find a great non-alcoholic hand sanitizer using essential oils to disinfect and kill bacteria.
Use a diffuser to mist essential oils with tea tree, lavender and frankincense into the air. A Whole-Home diffuser will distribute the essential oils throughout the main area of the house (the kitchen or living room) and in their bedroom to boost your body's immune system.
#3 Prevent Spreading Germs
Talk to your kids about sneezing/coughing etiquette such as coughing into your elbow/arm and throwing away used tissues. Teach them about washing their hands or using sanitizer when they are not able to get to soap and water.
When your child comes home from school, a playdate, or anywhere public where they touched things (sat in a seat, shopping cart, etc.) do this routine:
Shoes off at the door.Clothes off at the door.
Wash hands with soap for 20 seconds – sing the ABCs.
Avoid sugar and junk for all snacks – soda is liquid poison.
Fresh fruit, veggies, and healthy snacks like chickpea puffs, granola, and trail mix.
For adults – take off shoes, wash hands, and wipe down your cell phone as well as your car steering wheel next time you drive.
#4 Elderberry
Antioxidant-rich Elderberry is a shiny purple berry from the European Elderberry tree and has been used for generations to treat a wide variety of ailments. It’s best known here in the States to help strengthen kids’ immune systems and help fight the flu (studies have proven that it shortens the duration of sick time by 2-3 days). You can give kids a small daily dose of Elderberry during flu season to boost your child’s immune system as a preventative measure or can be given when your child gets sick. There are many ways to take Elderberry, but the easiest for littler kids is to get the concentrated dropper and add to water. I add to my kid’s school water bottle and he drinks it during the day without tasting anything but water; however, it does have a good taste since it’s a berry. Gummies also always make it easier to consume! Always ask your doctor before taking Elderberry since kids with autoimmune disorders should not take it.
#5 Vitamins
Vitamins and probiotics are important to keep your kiddos strong and healthy. We use the Olly + Probiotic Gummy Vitamins. One a day up to age 4 and then it’s two a day. In winter, give kids extra Vitamin D – the Vitamin D gummies are great and they also have drops that can be added to water without making it taste different. Vitamin C is very important – we like the Vitamin C powder packs. At the first sign of getting sick, mix with water and enjoy. They have Vitamin C chewable too. Our bodies can absorb up to 1000 mg of Vitamin C a day so start in small doses multiple times a day – 250 mg doses for kids.
#6 Eat Clean
We cannot expect our bodies to stay healthy and fight off germs if we are not fueling it properly. Fuel your kids immune system and bodies with the best fuel possible.
Foods to Build up a Great Immune System:
Kiwis are a magical fruit! The golden kiwis have double the vitamin C compared to a green kiwi and are delicious and sweet. One kiwi has almost double the vitamin C as an orange. Eat three golden kiwis and that’s nearly 300 mg of Vitamin C.
Garlic is another superfood! We feed our horses some garlic with their feed and not one bug or fly gets on them. It’s incredible. Garlic contains compounds that help the immune system fight germs. Studies have shown that garlic reduces the risk of becoming sick in the first place if eaten often or daily, as well as how long you stay sick. It can also reduce the severity of symptoms. Make sure to talk to your Vet before giving animals garlic.
Sauerkraut and non-dairy Kefir – “While some families prefer Greek yogurt, to get probiotics we eat sauerkraut and non-dairy kefir (since we are dairy-free). These foods help create a healthy gut. When your gut is healthy, your immune system is stronger.
Spinach – This leafy green is packed with numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, which may increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems. It’s the healthiest when cooked as little as possible to retain its nutrients. Add fresh to salads, healthy superfood bowls, a sandwich or wrap, and add it to pasta dishes and soups at the last moment for a minute so it wilts then serve.
#7 Epsom Salt Baths
Epsom salt draws toxins out of the body. Depending on your needs there are several that are recommended including those with Eucalyptus ( if you have a respiratory cold). Dr. Teals which is the cheapest on Amazon.com. 20 minutes max and drink plenty of water afterward – this is very important to replenish the liquids. You can add essential oils like Lavender, Eucalyptus or Chamomile to help boost the immune system.
For Adults
Follow the same tips as above plus add-in:
1. Intermittent Fasting
The last time you eat should be 7 PM at night and then the next morning, when you wake, have two glasses of water (16 ounces to jump-start your body. You just went 8 hours without any liquids, especially water! You can have a cup of coffee, then an hour later have your Super Greens Protein Smoothie just like the kids have. No solid food until noon time so that means you just fasted from solid food for 17 hours giving your body a chance to clean those organs, detox, and get your body working at its optimal state.
2. Turmeric Kills Coronavirus and any other Virus
Although stated there is no science to back this up, Dr. Harish Moorjani gave a very engaging and enlightening speech at a public library about COVID-19 . One of the tips he shared was to sip the following just before you go to bed: ½ teaspoon of turmeric mixed with ¼ cup milk (we suggest swapping this for almond milk, adding a dash of cinnamon which also boosts the immune system, and a tiny bit of honey for sweetness). His story was quite compelling; as an Infectious Disease Specialist who has been around people with highly contagious viruses he has never once had a sick day from work. He claims that it’s because of his nighttime ritual of sipping turmeric and milk right before bed so it coats your throat and kills any virus.
